Top Buckshot Brands for Unbeatable Performance and Precision.

When it comes to hunting or target shooting, selecting the right buckshot brand can make all the difference in your performance. With countless options on the market, finding the best value for your investment may seem daunting. Factors such as pellet uniformity, shot pattern consistency, and reliable ballistics should guide your choice. To simplify your search, we've compiled the top brands known for offering not only quality but also great value for money. Read on to discover which buckshot brands have made the cut.

Illustration of buckshot

Best brands of buckshot in 2025

Federal Premium

Federal Premium is renowned as one of the top producers of buckshot ammunition, known for its high-performance and reliable loads. Their #00 Buckshot XLE132-00 load, for example, features nine 00-buckshot pellets and delivers excellent patterning, with an average spread of 3 by 1.5 inches at 1233 fps in a Remington 870. Federal Premium has a long history of innovation, including being the first to offer a shell designed for turkey hunting and utilizing recycled lead in some of their bullets, making them a green and trusted choice among hunters and shooters. Their ammunition is highly regarded for its ballistic performance, with products like the Fusion Tipped bullets retaining an average of 94% of their original weight. For more information, explore their exceptional buckshot selection.

Winchester

Winchester is a renowned brand in the ammunition industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality buckshot offerings. Their Double X Ammunition, for instance, provides ultimate high-velocity performance with copper-plated hard buckshot, delivering long-range accuracy and maximum stopping power at 1450 fps. Winchester's shotshell ammo, including buckshot, is widely used in various applications such as hunting, personal defense, and law enforcement, showcasing its reliability and effectiveness. The brand's commitment to quality and consistency has made it a trusted choice for generations of hunters and shooters. With a diverse range of gauges and shot types, Winchester continues to lead the market in shotgun shell production.

Remington

Remington is renowned as one of the top producers of buckshot, with a long history of delivering high-quality ammunition. The company's buckshot offerings are part of a broader shotgun shell market that is projected to grow significantly, with the U.S. shotgun shell market expected to reach USD 1,603.09 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 14.90% from 2024 to 2031. Remington's buckshot, along with other types like birdshot and slugs, is popular for its versatility and effectiveness in various hunting and self-defense scenarios. The brand's commitment to precision and reliability has made it a favorite among hunters and shooters, with products like the Core-Lokt Tipped and Core-Lokt Copper contributing to its strong market presence. Remington's legacy in ammunition production, including over 80 years of Core-Lokt bullets, underscores its position as a leader in the industry. For more detailed information, you can explore their offerings in the Remington Catalog 2024.

Hornady

Hornady is renowned as one of the best producers of buckshot, known for its stringent quality control and innovative manufacturing processes. Their buckshot is made from cold swaged lead alloy hardened with antimony to prevent deformities after firing, ensuring straighter flight and harder impact. With a strict roundness tolerance of +.001", Hornady buckshot exceeds the industry standard of +.006", enhancing accuracy and performance. Founded in 1949, Hornady has consistently led the industry in bullet and ammunition design, adhering to its philosophy of "Ten bullets through one hole" for unparalleled accuracy. Their commitment to excellence is evident in their ISO 9001:2015 certification and state-of-the-art test facilities. For more information on their superior buckshot, visit Hornady's official website.

Fiocchi

Fiocchi is renowned as one of the best producers of buckshot ammunition, particularly with their Defense Buckshot load, which delivers nine lead pellets at a velocity of 1,250 fps, making it highly effective for home defense. Founded in 1876 by Giulio Fiocchi, the company has a long history of producing high-quality ammunition, with over 100% of their shotshells manufactured in the United States at their Ozark, Missouri facility. Fiocchi's buckshot loads, such as the 12EX9P, are engineered for high performance and reliability. The company's commitment to quality has contributed to several World Cups and Olympic triumphs. With a strong presence in the global market, Fiocchi continues to be a trusted name in the firearms industry.

Estate Cartridge

Estate Cartridge, a budget-friendly brand under Federal, is notable for its reliable and affordable 00 buckshot loads. These loads feature a low brass base, Federal's two-piece wad design, and buffered plain lead shot, with an advertised velocity of 1,325 fps. The patterning characteristics of Estate 00 buckshot are slightly better than non-buffered loads, making it a decent choice for home defense. Despite not responding well to choke, it still offers manageable recoil and a consistent pattern, especially at close ranges like 15 yards. Given its availability and price range of $1.00 to $1.50 per shell, it stands out as a viable option compared to other lower-end buckshot loads. For more insights, check out this detailed review on Estate 00 buckshot.

Browning

Browning is renowned as one of the best producers of buckshot ammunition, offering a wide range of shotshell options, including 12-gauge and 20-gauge shells with various shot sizes and types such as steel shot, buckshot, and TSS Tungsten Shot. Since its launch in 2015, Browning Ammunition has delivered high-quality products, including the Silver Series and Wicked Blend, which are designed for big game hunting and long-range precision shooting. Their shotshells are characterized by high muzzle velocities, such as 1450 fps for some 12-gauge shells, and are available in boxes of 25 rounds. Browning's commitment to innovation and quality has made it a trusted name in the hunting and sporting arms industry. With products like the 9 Pellet 00 Buck and TSS Tungsten Shot, Browning continues to meet the demands of hunters and sport shooters. For more information about their products, visit their shotshell ammunition page.

Nobel Sport

Nobel Sport is a globally recognized brand renowned for its high-quality ammunition, particularly its buckshot loads, which are designed to offer superior stopping power and accuracy. Their 12 Gauge #00 Buck Shot, for instance, features 9 pellets in a 2.75" shell with a velocity of 1200 FPS, making it a trusted choice for law enforcement and other critical applications. Nobel Sport produces approximately 120 million shot shells annually and distributes 300 tons of powders each year, ensuring consistent quality and performance. Their commitment to precision and reliability has made them a leader in the ammunition industry. With products tailored for various needs, including hunting and sport shooting, Nobel Sport stands out for its excellence in ammunition production.

Kent Cartridge

Kent Cartridge is renowned as one of the best producers of buckshot and other shotgun shells, particularly noted for its innovative approaches to non-toxic ammunition. Established in 1996, the company responded to the lead shot ban by developing high-velocity steel shotshells, pushing speeds up to 1400-1500 fps to enhance effectiveness. In 2016, Kent introduced its Premium Bismuth shotshells, which have 24% greater density than steel and are designed to reduce wind drift and maintain pattern uniformity. The company holds the patent on Tungsten Matrix, a revolutionary non-toxic shot mimicking the characteristics of premium lead shot. Kent's products are manufactured in West Virginia and are available through a network of dealers across North America and Europe. For more information about their innovative products, visit the Kent Cartridge about us page.

Rio Ammunition

Rio Ammunition is renowned as one of the best producers of buckshot, offering high-quality and reliable ammunition. Established in 1896 as part of the Spanish explosives firm MAXAM, Rio Ammunition entered the U.S. market in 2002 and has since become a member of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI), ensuring strict adherence to quality standards. Their Texas plant produces approximately one million shotshells daily, making their products accessible and affordable for hunters and target shooters. Rio's buckshot, such as the Royal Buck, is praised for its consistent performance and effective patterns, even at longer ranges. With a global production of 500 million shotgun shells annually, Rio Ammunition is a leading manufacturer in the industry.